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(Matthew 18:3)"Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

I know that all who are reading this article are convinced that it is appointed unto all men once to die, and that after death comes the judgment – and that the consequences of that judgment will be eternal separation from God, or eternally joined around that throne singing praises to the Lamb. I am also sure that no matter what kind of life you live – all are hoping to go to that place, which the Scriptures call Heaven, when you die. I also know that my heart's desire, and my prayer to God for you all, is that you will be in the kingdom of our heavenly Father.

But, though we all hope to go to Heaven, I am afraid that many who hope to go to this blessed place after death are not now in the way to it while they live. You call yourself Christian, and are offended if anyone doubts you are Christian. Yet, there are so many, who call themselves Christian, who have no clue as to what real Christianity is.

The hope most have is that they belong to this or that denomination – that this or that man is their pastor – that they have been baptized – that their name is on some church role – so their name must be in the Lamb's Book of Life. They build their hope of salvation on a very rotten foundation – on the fact they are good neighbors – honest moral people – help the poor – and are considered by this world as being good Christians. These have a Christ in their heads – but they have no Christ in their hearts.

The Lord Jesus Christ knew this. He knew how desperately wicked and deceitful men's hearts were. He knew how many who would get close, and would be turned away with "I never knew you."The Lord plainly tells us of the great change that must be worked in us, and what must be done for us before we can have any hope of entering into the Kingdom of Heaven.

He said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"(John 3:3). He said, "We must be converted and become as little children." There must be a great change in our soul. We must be loosed from this world – as uncaring of this world – as uncaring for earthly things, as this child, or we will not enter into His kingdom. I am not saying we must shut ourselves away as hermits – because we cannot leave our wicked hearts behind, when you leave the world. But we will turn loose of this world – use it for what it was given, and nothing else – as a means to the end.

We must see that we are unable to save ourselves, as a little child is unable to provide for himself. We must come to the point where we know that we are not "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing," but that we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17).

Life is short – death is imminent. Today, tonight, or tomorrow we may be called to stand before God. How will we stand? Know this – "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven."

Do you have a well-grounded hope that God has made you new creatures in Christ Jesus? Are you perfect before God? Do you stand in His Righteousness, or are you still going about trying to establish your own righteousness? Are you as that Publican who would not even so much as lift up his eyes to Heaven – but beat on his breast crying for mercy? If not, then remember – "Ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven." May the Lord God impress this upon your soul.

Milton W. Howard is pastor of Kitchens Creek Baptist Church in Ball. His email is KitchensCreek@bellsouth.net